The 1973 animated film by Eiichi Yamamoto, Belladonna of Sadness, was long considered a lost film. Over 40 years after its initial release, the crazed piece of animation is finally getting a loving restoration. Today, the people at SpectreVision and Cinelicious Pics have collaborated with the good folks over at The Cinefamily, one of Los Angeles’ finest movie theaters, to present the trailer for the restored animated film that seemingly pushes the envelope in terms of artistry and sexuality. It’s safe to say that this trailer, featuring the bizarre soundtrack by avant-garde composer Masahiko Satoh, is NSFW.
Belladonna of Sadness will begin its theatrical run on May 6th at the Metrograph theater in New York, the Alamo Drafthouse at the New Mission in San Francisco, and at The Cinefamily in Los Angeles the week of May 13, with a national roll-out in various cities to follow. But for the cultists who have long searched for Belladonna of Sadness, the film will also be released on Blu-Ray as well as a companion book, Belladonna of Sadness: A Companion to the 1973 Cult Japanese Anime Film. The book, the Blu-Ray, and other assorted Belladonna of Sadness goodies will be available for pre-order on Hat and Beard’s website.
The official synopsis for Belladonna of Sadness:
BELLADONNA OF SADNESS is the last in the adult-themed Animerama Trilogy produced by the godfather of Japanese anime & manga, Osamu Tezuka, and directed by his long time collaborator Eiichi Yamamoto (ASTRO BOY, KIMBA THE WHITE LION). All but lost since the its 1970s release, the film was restored by Cinelicious Pics using the original 35mm camera negative and sound elements – including over 8 minutes of surreal and explicit footage cut from the negative.
 Trailer for the Lost Animated Insanity of ‘Belladonna of Sadness’){kind=link}